The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-22
JOE JEFFERSON, COMEDIAN.


Some Interesting Facts About Him and His
Forthcoming Book of "reminiscences.
American
Mr.. Jefferson is one Of the gentlest and most
Kindly OF men, without ray of the swaeger
which now and then does creep into the manners
OF the theatrical male being, and as lovable'
an old gentleman eff the stage as is his immortal
Rip upon the boards. Il has been several years
since he has been .'iuterviewed." fog, as he told
me. he doesn't quite like the idea. and thinks it
somewhat beneath the dignity of fret maRni-
tude star Tiny words. of course. not his) to 60 In
fer that style of self ad vertising.
What particularly wanted to know Was when
he Intended to give the public the autobiog-
raphy which he has COMPLETED. and which when
published will most surely prove delicious
literary feast.
But Mr.. jefferson would not say when we may
look for his book. sit 10 all ready he said,
"ano could be published at any time but just at
present do not see my way very clear TO put
ting it out, and cannot even make conditional
prophecy as to the time when it will be
printed"
script must utain, and what scores OF quaint
and touching stories the old actor must
have prepared for posterity in writing It Here
In Philadelphia it would be hailed with especial
delight, for jefferson was not only born here.
but is bound to our hearts by many. many years
of the most genuine popularity The house
which still stands at the southwest corner OF
Sixth and Spruce streets has the honor of being
his birth place. and the interesting event took
place more than fiftv-eight years ago, in Febru-
airy. 1929. AS his pedigree is 80 purely theatre
cal, it is not surprising that he WAS brought ND
amid theatrical surroundings, or that he made
his first appearance on the stage when only four
years old.
He says that Mrs. John Drew was a witness of
that memorable incident, and that the occasion
Was a benefit to Thomas D. Rice. famous negro
character actor, at the Washington Theater.
Rice was at the time making fortune by his
impersonation and song OF Jim Crow and II avine
blacked little Joe and dressed him in costume
exactly similar to his own, he put him in big
bag. ehambled upon the stage, sang verse or
two of the song. and then. to the amazement
and delight of the audience, shook him out on
the stage while he sang
Ladies' and gentlemen I'd have you for to know
Use got little darkey here to jump Jim Crow"
Mrs Drew says that the younester at once
assumed the exact attitude of his big compan-
ion, who was long. thin and ungainly-looking
man, and without being at all dustered by the
thunders of applause which greeted his unex-
pected appearance. sang and danced like the
perfect miniature Of the big Jim Grow beside
him.
II was only eight years old when fought
sword combat the stage Of the Franklin
Theater in New York" laughed MIR. jefferson,
''and my boyish delight great, for played
the part of a pirate and gave battle to an honest
sailor. personated by another youngster, who,
however, had the best part Of the two as it
my place to be killed st the end of the
battle. and his to stand in triumph over my
PROSTATE bodv."
In those early days of his career he wandered
thespians the thiniv populated Western
and Southwestern country, sailing down the
big rivers on fat boats, on which the troupes
scenery, such as dingy marble banquet halls
for Rocky mountain passes did extra duty as
sails. aud naturally INDUCING in plenty of hard
times and msadventures. He was thus
gagged when the Mexican war broke out in 1916.
and be and his companions gave many per-
fornances in the American camps. He heard
the thunder OF the cannon at Palo Alto and
saw the city of Matamoras bombarded and cap
fnra r,la ypCO pf "a sf pa n a uIah hes
ter there, in fact. two days after the sur
render.
In 1861 he went to California where he
played in San Francisco from early in July
until Novem Der, and thence to Australia, where
he remained four years, and where he met B. L.
Farjeon, the English novelist, who afterwards
married his eldest daughter From Australia
he went to Tasmania, where at that time was
located one of the greatest penal settlements in
world, and he there had the curious experience OF
playing Bob Briefly in the THE Ticket of-Leave
Man" before q Hobart Town audience, which in
cluded more than six hundred genuine ticket
of-leave men. This formidaoly body of worthless
at first greeted him with looks of implacable
hatred, but Jefferson's performance their
hearts completely. and before the play was over
the six hundred genuine specimens lavished I'M
bounded applause upon the make-believe.
al From Tasmania he went to South America,
thence to Panama, and from there England.
There in 1865 at the Adephi Theatre. Lon
emit version of rip Van Dinkle." for
previous to that time there had
been dozen plays or that name, and one was
acted at the Wannt-street Theatre, in this city,
as long before the year of Jefferson's birth.
II is also Interesting to hear that Jefferson acted
in rip Van Wrinkle" at the Arch-street Theatre
where he will play the part to-nieht-thrty-
eight years ago, but that he was cast for the
part of Seth, the inn-keeper and not the title
role.
/ might ramble on for a long time over these
pleasant recollect:ons of the old actor, but must
stop, and SO will tell you just one more story
concerning his Rip
The night before his first appearance in Lon
don be was nervous and apprehensve to the
result, and resolved to carefully rehearse alone
the third act of the play He "made up" thor
oughiy for the part, and quto unconscious that
the curtain of his window, which faced On Re
gent street WAS raised, proceeded to go through
bis part with all the ardor he possessed. AS the
view of the well-liehted room from the out
and under the impression that they were watch
ing a very prime article In the lunatic way, soon
drew others TO the scene, until the great thor
oughfare was completely blocked. The police
were sent for. with great difficulty fought their
way TO the street door, called out the landl adv
who at once rushed to the door of Jefferson's
room, and by her pounding on his door the COM
ediau brought to realize the situation, and
pull down the bind
Mr. jefferson has an estate near Hohokus, in
New Jersey, and another on almost tropical
island not far from New Iberia, in Louisiana.
He has been married twice, and has had nine
children, six sons and three daughters. The
''Mr. Joseph Warren" who Monday night
played the part of Sam the Waiter in Lend Me
Five Shiliings" is in real life Joseph Warren
Jefferson, the Comedians eighteen year-old son.
and Thomas jefferson, another of his sons, is the
business manager of his company.
THE REIGNING DRAMATIC BELLE
A Chat About Mrs. James Brown Potter and
Her Husbands Family.